Eight businesses or individuals have been honored with awards presented by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) for leadership and excellence in alternative fuels and alternative fuel-powered vehicles at the group’s
16th annual Alternative Fuels & Vehicles Conference & Expo.
AFVI said the honorees represent excellence in the advancement of alternative fuels, vehicles or advanced technologies resulting in clean alternatives to petroleum.
Robert White, director of market development for the Renewable Fuels Assn. (RFA), received the 24/7 Blend Award for his efforts to promote alternative energy through social media. RFA received part of a $1.6-million Dept. of Energy grant to provide training on social media for organizations such as Clean Cities Coalitions.
The Chrysler Group Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) picked up the EV-angelism Award for its production of electric vehicles. The first GEM vehicle to hit the road came 12 years ago and the company now offers six models with more than 40,000 of its vehicles operating around the world. President & COO Rick Kasper accepted the award.
National Clean Cities director Dennis Smith accepted the Golden Bullet Award for his organization’s distribution of nearly $300 million in Dept. of Energy Clean Cities grants. The grants have helped fund the addition of 9,000 alternative-fueled vehicles and the building of more than 500 refueling stations.
AT&T won the Green Fleet Award for its announcement that it will replace 15,000 vehicles over the next ten years with alternatively fueled models. The result will be the displacement of 2.5-million barrels of oil, a reduction of the company’s carbon output by 211,000 metric tons and the creation or saving of some 5,500 jobs.
Paul Kerkhoven received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his advocacy of natural gas. The president of a government relations consulting firm and director of government affairs for NGV America, Kerkhoven educates fleet managers, policy makers and Clean Cities coordinators about federal funding and incentives.
Napa Valley Unified School District and its transportation director Ralph Knight earned the Magic School Bus Award. Napa began running an electric school bus in 1997 and now operates two. The district also runs the only plug-in hybrid school bus in California.
Ford Fleet was given the “There’s a Ford in Your Future” award for its efforts to increase sales through alternative fuel powertrains and advanced technologies.
After spending 30 years as a CIA analyst, Tom Whipple has devoted the past 13 to researching and writing about the issues surrounding peak oil. His writing is carried in daily and weekly publications for the Assn. for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas - USA and in the Falls Church News-Press. Whipple received AFVi’s first Whipple’s Peak Award.
